AIM application process for September 2021 pre-school year

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme.  Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.  Further information on the programme and the range of supports available can be found here.

AIM Level 4 and 7

The application process for AIM Level 4 (expert early years educational advice and support) and Level 7 (additional assistance in the pre-school room) for the 2021/22 pre-school year will open on the Hive in mid-May. As this is a new process for service providers a range of supports including training sessions and guidance documents will be available to assist services with the application process. We encourage all services to participate in a training session which will commence from Monday 17th to Thursday 20th May. Further details on these training sessions will be communicated in advance.

For children who are currently receiving AIM supports and are eligible to avail of a 2nd year of the ECCE programme from September 2021

If the child is eligible and is returning to the same pre-school setting for a second year and circumstances have not changed, services in receipt of AIM Level 7 supports must submit a 2nd year extension request for all eligible children. Eligible children include children who have been approved AIM level 7 support in the 2020/21 programme year but subsequently withdrew due to EWSS.

Extension requests must be submitted on the Hive when the AIM Level 7 application process is available in mid-May.

If the child who is currently availing of AIM supports is moving to another pre-school in September 2021, a new AIM application has to be made by the new pre-school provider in conjunction with the parent(s).

AIM Level 5

The application process for AIM Level 5 for the 2021/22 pre-school year will remain on PIP and also open for applications in mid-May.

Help and support

Should you have any queries in relation to the AIM, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on Hive.